Hyderabad MeeSeva Centers Allegedly Overcharging Ration Cards

Long queues at MeeSeva centers: Applicants allege overcharging for new ration card applications

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Mohammed Rayees 12 Feb 2025 4:17 PM

News in short:

The Telangana government has resumed accepting applications for new ration cards, leading to long queues at MeeSeva centers in Hyderabad. Applicants began lining up as early as 6 am, facing delays and frustrations due to the slow pace of submissions. Adding to the difficulties, some MeeSeva centers are allegedly charging exorbitant fees, demanding up to Rs. 2,000 per application despite the official fee being Rs. 50. Applicants also have to submit their receipts again at the Civil Supplies Department office, causing further inconvenience. Required documents for new ration cards include Aadhaar cards of all family members and recent electricity bills. For updates to existing cards, only Aadhaar cards are needed. Officials have assured no extra fees should be charged and encouraged complaints against any irregularities. They recommend visiting MeeSeva centers early to avoid long queues, as processing a single application takes 15-30 minutes. There is no deadline for application submission.

Hyderabad: As the Telangana government resumed the process of accepting applications for new ration cards, people were seen standing in long queues outside MeeSeva centers in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

At the Koti government MeeSeva center, people began queuing as early as 6 am. However, the slow pace of application submissions left those standing in line feeling impatient and frustrated.

Adding to their woes, several MeeSeva centers are allegedly charging exorbitant fees from the applicants. The staff are demanding up to Rs. 2,000 per application while the original fee is Rs. 50.

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Further complicating matters, applicants have been asked to submit their receipts again at the Civil Supplies Department office. “How many times do we have to make rounds of offices? First, MeeSeva, now Civil Supplies,” rued an applicant.

For new ration cards, the officials have advised applicants to carry Aadhaar cards of all family members and latest electricity bills (at least two months). These documents are required to be scanned at MeeSeva centers. Those looking to update existing ration cards need to submit only their Aadhaar cards for verification.

Meanwhile, officials have asserted that no extra fee should be charged for applications and have urged citizens to lodge complaints if they encounter any irregularities. They have even advised the applicants to visit MeeSeva centers early in the morning to avoid long queues as processing a single application takes 15 to 30 minutes. There is no deadline for submission of applications, the officials added.

The Telangana state is preparing to conduct polls to Graduates’ and two Teachers’ constituencies of Telangana Legislative Council on February 27, 2025 and as such model code of conduct (MCC) has been enforced in the state.

As per reports, the eligible candidates can apply for a new ration card or existing card holders can request for addition of new members. However, the ration card will be issued only after the poll code is lifted. Those who have applied for a new ration card during Praja Palana programme and Prajavani programmes need not apply again.